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PAT-066 - MCR - Mission Concept Milestone Review Checklist

AI (gpt-4o)

The Mission Concept Review (MCR) exit criteria outlined in NASA-HDBK-2203, Topic 7.09, focus on ensuring that the mission concept, including software objectives, scope, and feasibility, is well-defined, properly aligned with project goals, and ready to proceed to more detailed system and software requirements definition. The MCR evaluates the overall feasibility of achieving mission objectives and ensures that software elements are integrated into the early mission planning phase.

Below is a summary of the Software MCR Exit Criteria:

Summary of Software MCR Exit Criteria

1. Mission Objectives and Scope:
   • The mission objectives and overall scope, including the role and function of software, must be clearly defined and documented.
   • Software contributions to achieving mission success should be well understood and justified.
2. Software Concept and Feasibility:
   • The initial software concept must be clearly articulated, including its purpose, capabilities, high-level functionality, and performance goals.
   • A preliminary assessment should confirm that the software design is technically feasible and can meet mission objectives within project constraints (e.g., schedule, budget, and resources).
3. Preliminary Requirements:
   • Key software requirements linked to system-level requirements and mission objectives must be identified, including initial analysis of functional, performance, safety, and security needs.
   • A framework should be established for refining requirements during subsequent design phases.
4. Preliminary Architecture:
   • A high-level overview of the software architecture should be presented, describing how the software will interact with hardware, other system components, and external systems.
   • Conceptual software interfaces (internal and external) must be identified and assessed.
5. Risk Identification and Mitigation Planning:
   • Software-related risks (e.g., technical, schedule, and cost risks) must be identified, analyzed, and documented.
   • High-level mitigation strategies for software risks should be defined.
6. Resource Assessment:
   • The resources required to develop, test, and deploy the software (e.g., personnel, tools, budget, and infrastructure) must be preliminarily scoped and documented.
   • Early analysis must confirm adequate budget and schedule allocation for the software component of the mission.
7. Compliance with Standards and Constraints:
   • The software concept must be reviewed for compliance with applicable NASA standards, policies, and program-level constraints.
   • Any unique requirements or constraints (e.g., mission-specific safety or reliability needs) must be identified.
8. Safety and Security Considerations:
   • Preliminary safety-critical functions and potential software hazards must be identified.
   • Early consideration of cybersecurity risks and protections for software must be established, including compliance with mission-specific safety and security standards.
9. Preliminary Verification and Validation Planning:
   • An initial strategy should outline how the software will be verified and validated throughout its lifecycle to confirm that it meets mission requirements.
   • This plan should include measurable success criteria for future development milestones.
10. Stakeholder Buy-In:
    • Stakeholders, including mission planners, system engineers, software engineers, and assurance teams, must agree on the software concept and its alignment with mission goals.
    • Any outstanding issues must be identified, with a plan in place to address them before proceeding to the next phase.
11. Documentation and Approval:
    • All supporting documentation for the MCR, including the mission concept, preliminary software requirements, risk assessments, and high-level software strategies, must be completed and formally reviewed.
    • Approval to proceed must be granted by relevant authority figures, such as program managers and technical leads.

Key Purpose of Software MCR Exit Criteria

The MCR exit criteria ensure that the software's role in the mission concept:

• Is clearly defined and feasible within the project's constraints.
• Aligns with mission objectives and high-level system requirements.
• Addresses early risks associated with software design, development, and integration.
• Sets a strong foundation for progressing to detailed system and software requirements definition.

Conclusion: Meeting the Software MCR Exit Criteria confirms that the mission concept incorporates sound, feasible plans for software development and integration. By addressing these criteria, NASA ensures the project’s readiness to proceed to the next phase, minimizing risks and aligning software objectives with mission priorities and system requirements.